Mariapaola McGurk

Dr Mariapaola McGurk (MP) is an experienced leader in the cultural and creative industries, with over two decades of expertise in innovation, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem development. She is the founder and former Managing Director of The Coloured Cube, an award-winning social creative enterprise in South Africa, and has contributed extensively to initiatives supporting the social and economic growth of creative practitioners and their communities. Dr McGurk holds a PhD in Digital Transformation from the University of Johannesburg Business School, where her research examined how systems thinking and digital innovation can drive sustainable and inclusive growth in the creative economy. At Whitecliffe College in New Zealand, she serves as Programme Lead and Lecturer for the Master of Business Innovation and Leadership (MBIL), situated within the Faculty of Art and Design. Her teaching and practice connect theory with real-world application, fostering leadership, critical thinking, and the ability to navigate complexity. Drawing on her experience at the intersection of art, technology, and social impact, Dr McGurk champions a design-led approach to business and leadership education that reimagines how innovation and creativity can shape more resilient futures.